GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology : Cellular Processes

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology

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All GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Resources

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Help With The Cell Cycle

Which cyclin remains consistently expressed starting in G1 phase through mitosis to regulate cell cycle progression? 

Possible Answers:

Cyclin E

Cyclin F

Cyclin D

Cyclin B 

Cyclin A 

Correct answer:

Cyclin D

Explanation:

The correct answer is Cyclin D. This cyclin is expressed throughout the cell cycle, however, it directly regulates the transition from G1 to S phase. Cyclin A is also involved in the G1 to S phase transition and is expressed into the G2 phase. Cyclin E is expressed during the transition from G1 to S phase. Cyclin B is expressed during the transition from G2 to mitosis and regulates this progression. There is no Cyclin F in the cell cycle.

Example Question #1 : Cellular Division

The expression of which of the following protein classes is normally associated with G1 phase of the cell cycle?

I. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs)

II. Caspases

III. Nucleic acid polymerases

Possible Answers:

II only

II and III

I and II

III only

I only

Correct answer:

I only

Explanation:

The two main protein types that are crucial to cell cycle regulation are cyclins and CDKs (cyclin-dependent kinases). CDKs are expressed at relatively stable levels at all phases of the cell cycle. Their regulatory partners are cyclins which, as the name suggests, are expressed only when they are needed to help activate a specific CDK and progress the cell to a new phase of the cell cycle. All of the choices are CDKs, and should be expressed during G1 of the cell cycle. Caspases are proteins that are involved in apoptosis. Nucleic acid polymerases would be expected to have elevated activity during S phase of interphase during which DNA is duplicated. 

Example Question #53 : Cellular Processes

During mitosis, what proteins are involved in the formation of the contractile ring?

Possible Answers:

Kinetochore microtubules and kinesin

Actin and dyenin

Actin and myosin-2

Polar microtubules and dyenin

Correct answer:

Actin and myosin-2

Explanation:

The contractile ring is made up of actin and myosin-2 and is used to initiate cytokinesis. Polar and kinetochore microtubules have important functions during earlier stages of mitosis. Polar microtubules interact within the cytoplasm during metaphase and anaphase, while kinectochore microtubules directly attach to chromosome centromeres to facilitate separation. Dyenin is a motor protein that interacts with microtubules to aid in protein transport.

Example Question #7 : Cellular Division

Which phase of mitosis is characterized by the alignment of sister chromatids at the center of the cell?

Possible Answers:

Telophase

Metaphase

Prophase

Anaphase

Correct answer:

Metaphase

Explanation:

During mitosis, sister chromatids will line up in the center of the cell so that they may be pulled to opposite ends by the spindle fibers. This lining up takes place in the second phase of mitosis: metaphase.

Example Question #2 : Cellular Division

Blocking which of the following processes is likely to directly interfere with cyclins' role to regulate the cell cycle?

Possible Answers:

Replication

Ubiquitination

Microtubule formation

Endocytosis

Correct answer:

Ubiquitination

Explanation:

Cyclin proteins fluctuate in level during the different stages of the cell cycle (except for Cyclin D). For example, Cyclin E regulates the entry into S phase. The expression of the cyclin E gene increases, which leads to higher Cyclin E protein levels in the cell. After the cell passes S phase, Cyclin E protein is actively destroyed by ubiquitination. 

When Cyclins are bound to Cdks, they can regulate the activity of proteins that regulate processes like replication and microtubule formation; however, of the cellular processes listed, blocking ubiquitination would be the only process that would directly interfere with cyclins' role to regulate the cell cycle as cyclin proteins need to be destroyed at the correct time to allow the cell cycle to progress.

Example Question #3 : Cellular Division

What proteins do cyclins regulate and how do these proteins carry out their catalytic activities during cell cycle progression?

Possible Answers:

Cyclins regulate cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs). CKIs phosphorylate their substrates to effect activity.

Cyclins regulate cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). CDKs dephosphorylate their substrates to effect activity.

Cyclins regulate cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). CDKs phosphorylate their substrates to effect activity.

Cyclins regulate cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs). CKIs dephosphorylate their substrates to effect activity.

Cyclins do not play a role in cell cycle progression

Correct answer:

Cyclins regulate cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). CDKs phosphorylate their substrates to effect activity.

Explanation:

Kinases are proteins that phosphorylate their substrates, often activating these substrates. In the context of cell cycle progression, cyclins interact with cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and activate the CDK kinase domain to phosphorylate substrates and promote cell cycle progression. CDK inhibitors interact with CDKs to inhibit the CDK kinase domain from phosphorylating substrates. 

Example Question #123 : Cell Biology

During what stage of cellular mitosis do the microtubules attach to the centromeres to eventually align the chromosomes?

Possible Answers:

Telophase

Prometaphase

Prophase

Anaphase

Interphase

Correct answer:

Prometaphase

Explanation:

The correct answer is prometaphase, in which the nuclear membrane dissolves and the microtubules attach to the centromeres. Interphase occurs before mitosis begins, and includes S phase, where the chromosomes are duplicated. In anaphase, the chromosome duplicates are separated by the microtubules. In telophase, cell division begins with the newly separated chromosome copies.

Example Question #121 : Cell Biology

The contractile ring constricts the cell membrane to form a cleavage furrow during cytokinesis. What is the contractile ring composed of?  

Possible Answers:

Adenosine triphosphate

Myosin and tubulin 

Lamin 

Myosin and actin filaments 

Microtubules 

Correct answer:

Myosin and actin filaments 

Explanation:

The correct answer is myosin and actin filaments. Myosin hydrolyzes adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and moves along the actin filaments previously assembled at the cell cortex, constricting the actin and the plasma membrane. Lamin is found in the nucleus and gives structural support to the nuclear membrane. Tubulin and microtubules are components of the cell cytoskeleton. 

Example Question #122 : Cell Biology

A certain line of cells has a mutated, non-functioning copy of the enzyme DNA ligase. What portion of the DNA would be affected by this mutated enzyme?

Possible Answers:

The leading strand

Minor groove

Major groove

The lagging strand

DNA polymerase

Correct answer:

The lagging strand

Explanation:

DNA ligase is an enzyme used to link DNA via the formation of a phosphodiester bond. During lagging strand synthesis, DNA ligase connects the okazaki fragments. Without this enzyme functioning properly, the lagging strand would not be completed.

Example Question #1 : Help With Meiosis

During which of the following stages of meiosis is the ploidy of the cell equal to n (haploid)?

I. Telophase I, after nuclear envelopes reform

II. Metaphase II, while chromosomes are lined up on the equatorial plate

III. Anaphase II, immediately after separation of sister chromatids

IV. Metaphase I, while chromosomes are lined up on the equatorial plate

Possible Answers:

I and II

I, II, and III

III and IV

I, II, III, and IV

Correct answer:

I and II

Explanation:

This question is a little tricky and depends entirely on the definition of when something is officially a chromosome. A sister chromatid is not officially considered a chromosome until being separated from its partner.

During metaphase I, the homologous chromosomes have yet to separate, so ploidy is still 2n (diploid). Statement IV is false.

During telophase I, the homologous chromosomes have separated and the nuclear envelopes have reformed, effectively forming two haploid nuclei during telophase I. Statement I is true.

During metaphase II, the sister chromatids are still attached, so the cells are still haploid. Statement II is true.

During anaphase II, however, immediately after the sister chromatids are separated they are now considered individual chromosomes. This effectively increases ploidy back to 2n until the nuclear envelopes reform. Statement III is false.

All GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Resources

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